Category: Blog

As the Clean Air Partnership works to encourage activities that reduce emissions this summer, we continue to recognize the great work and innovative initiatives of businesses that are committed to clearing the air in the St. Louis region. This month, we’re shining a spotlight on UniGroup for their commitment to providing industry-leading transportation solutions while emphasizing the importance of sustainable business practices.

UniGroup, headquartered in suburban St. Louis, is a $1.7 billion moving and transportation company that aims to deliver the highest quality of service to area residents and customers around the world. As one of the most well-known names in the moving industry, the organization understands the importance of operating with an eye towards sustainability in order to achieve their mission.

A proud participant of the St. Louis Green Business Challenge and a champion of sustainability, UniGroup uses the Challenge as motivation to continually make strides towards improving three major areas: people, environment and future of the business. In 2018, the organization received the Achievement Award in the Star Circle of Excellence and an Award of Merit at the Champion Level, the highest level of competition. To achieve the title of Challenge Champion, businesses must have completed work with the Leader scorecard in past years and commit to continued implementation of deeper sustainability strategies, such as reducing energy usage by at least 25% and diverting waste by 75% or greater.

To follow through with their commitment, UniGroup has improved sustainability by installing LED lights, reducing electricity usage and increasing participation in their sustainability challenge by 33% overall. They even hold their own Earth Week Celebration in which individuals are encouraged to participate in roadside clean up, nature film viewings, a wellness fair, and hiking and biking events. In 2013, UniGroup formed the UniGreen Team, a committee of volunteers from business units throughout the company who regularly meet to identify and advance projects that support their sustainability focus. Some of these green initiatives included the installation of solar panels and high efficiency heating systems, ENERGYSTAR certification, ISO 14001 certification and more.

UniGroup continues to look for ways to engage its agents in sustainability efforts and how they can do more to reduce environmental impact. From a UniGreen Team member’s suggestion, the company hosted its first webinar with United and Mayflower agents to discuss the benefits of balers for cardboard and paper associated with moving services. The UniGreen Team also worked with UniGroup’s art and box purchasing departments to create a logo for moving boxes to remind customers to ReUse, ReCycle, or ReTurn their empty boxes!

To learn more about the link between sustainability and air quality, explore our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @gatewaycleanair. For additional information on the sustainable efforts underway by UniGroup and how your company can get involved in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, visit http://stlouisgreenchallenge.com/.

As climate change continues and warmer temperatures settle in for the summer months, cleaning up the air will become ever more challenging, according to the findings of this year’s “State of the Air” report from the American Lung Association. The three years covered in this report (2015-2017) ranked as the hottest years on record globally. Increased heat played a major role in the higher number of unhealthy air days, resulting in more cities having high days of ozone and short-term particle pollution that puts millions more people at risk.

With the prime of summer approaching, the importance of keeping the region’s air clean is at an all-time high. We must all work together to reduce emissions that negatively impact the climate as these changes – including worsened air quality – pose many threats to human health. Many people are at greater risk due to their age or because they have asthma or other chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease or diabetes. More than 2.5 million children and 9.7 million adults with asthma live in counties of the United States that received an “F” for at least one pollutant. Likewise, more than 306,000 children and 1.2 million adults with asthma live in counties failing all three tests. Here in St. Louis, we ranked 29 in the nation overall for most ozone-polluted cities.

While these statistics may come as a shock, thankfully, there are plenty of resources available to help residents of the St. Louis region take voluntary steps that can improve the quality of the air we breathe and improve our health overall. For starters, the Clean Air Partnership releases daily air quality forecasts to let residents know what the air quality will be during the summer months. Signing up to receive the air quality forecast via email at www.cleanair-stlouis.com helps to ensure St. Louisans know what the next day’s air quality will be and if they should alter their outdoor activities to minimize exposure to polluted air.

The latest “State of the Air” report also tells us that, for many areas in the U.S., ozone pollution levels are high enough during the summer months to cause health problems that can be felt right away. Immediate problems—in addition to increased risk of premature death—include shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing, asthma attacks and increased risk of respiratory infections. Given that auto emissions are a key contributor to poor air quality, The Partnership encourages area residents to take advantage of the region’s public transit system, ridesharing and bike-sharing services that are all designed to limit the number of solo commuters on the road and offer great alternatives for the work commute or an option to hopping in your car for short trips. Supporting community plans for sidewalks or bike trails that provide ways to get around that don’t require a car is another step in the right direction for healthy air.

For more information and a host of additional tips to clean the air so individuals all across St. Louis breathe easier this summer, visit our website, like the Clean Air Partnership on Facebook or follow @gatewaycleanair on Twitter.

As we continue to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, the Clean Air Partnership is recognizing some of the great work and innovative initiatives underway, with a particular focus on businesses of all types and sizes that are helping to reduce air pollution in the St. Louis area. This month, we’re shining a spotlight on the Missouri Historical Society for their commitment to preserving the stories of St. Louis while working towards a more sustainable future.

The Missouri Historical Society (MHS) serves as the confluence of historical perspectives and contemporary issues to inspire and engage audiences in the St. Louis region and beyond. MHS operates the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis’ Forest Park, the Library & Research Center, and the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum. The organization assumes responsibility for its role in environmental stewardship and seeks to minimize consumption of energy and materials, treat waste responsibly, and make sustainable practices an integral part of all operations to reduce the organization’s environmental footprint. After all, it is extremely important to preserve the Earth to ensure that the history and culture is around for many generations to come.

Since joining the St. Louis Green Business Challenge in 2011, the Missouri Historical Society has competed annually to improve sustainability performance and deliver financial, social, and environmental results. For three consecutive years beginning in 2014, MHS received an Award of Merit at the Leaders Level. In 2017 and 2018, MHS received the Achievement Award in the Star Circle of Excellence and an Award of Merit at the Champion Level, the highest level of competition.

MHS maintains accountability to the environment and the community by partnering with local, sustainable vendors; acting as an advocate; volunteering to help other cultural institutions become more sustainable; and taking major steps toward lowering energy use. Specifically, the Missouri Historical Society has pledged to achieve a 25 percent reduction in energy consumption by the year 2020 as part of the US Green Building Council’s Better Buildings Through Benchmarking campaign.

Furthermore, as part of a larger effort to replace old light bulbs with LEDs wherever possible, the Library & Research Center has undergone a complete lighting upgrade that increased energy efficiency and resulted in more than 1,300 light bulbs being recycled. Staff members use natural cleaning products from St. Louis–based company Better Life to keep the History Clubhouse sanitized and maintain a spotless environment throughout MHS exhibits, offices and breakrooms. Through its partnership with earthday365 for the popular Twilight Tuesdays concert series, MHS also provides composting and recycling containers to reduce waste and encourage recycling.

For more information on the link between sustainability and air quality, explore our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @gatewaycleanair. To learn more about the ongoing sustainable efforts by the Missouri Historical Society and how your company can get involved in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, visit http://stlouisgreenchallenge.com/.

With Memorial Day just around the corner, a record number of drivers are expected to hit the road for the three-day weekend, according to the latest AAA forecast. The long holiday weekend, marking the unofficial start of summer vacation season, will see the second-highest travel volume on record. Regardless of what your weekend plans entail, it is important to keep in mind that traveling can negatively impact the environment.

Fortunately, there are a variety of ways that area residents can incorporate sustainability into their holiday celebrations by making a few small changes to the way that we travel. Commemorating Memorial Day in an eco-friendly manner is a perfect way to honor our country and pay our respects to those who serve and protect our great nation. With that in mind, here are just a few of the many ways you can reduce your transportation footprint this weekend to help improve the region’s air quality:

• Travel Light – Greener travel starts before we even leave the house. The more weight trains, planes, and automobiles have to carry, the more fuel they use, and the more harmful greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere. As a result, these emissions have a negative impact on the climate – including worsened air quality – that pose many threats to human health. Be conscious of how much you are packing to lighten the load and help keep the air quality in healthy ranges.
• Turn Off and Unplug – While you may feel more comfortable leaving on a light or two in your absence, that doesn’t mean that you have to leave computers, tablets and other electrical devices on that still use electricity when plugged in, even though they may be idle. Do a walk-through of your home before you leave to turn off and unplug any unnecessary electronics because energy production is a key source of air pollution. Doing so will help clean the air by reducing harmful emissions!
• Choose to Travel by Bus or Train – If possible, consider traveling by bus or train to your destination. These are the greenest options and can offer a certain level of convenience, particularly if the weather and roads are bad along your travel route. If you must fly, check to see if you can get an affordable nonstop flight to help improve the air quality by cutting back on carbon emissions that come from takeoff and landing. Buses, trains, hybrid cars, and coach seats on narrow jets weigh in with the smallest carbon footprints.
• Properly Maintain Your Vehicle – If you are traveling by your own personal vehicle, routine maintenance steps like checking engine performance, keeping tires properly inflated, replacing air filters and changing oil regularly are all ways to help reduce emissions and fuel consumption, saving money at the pump and cleaning the air. Following the speed limit also saves fuel and prevents unnecessary air pollution.
• Make Your Stay a Greener One – If your travel plans include staying at a hotel, consider some simple practices to minimize energy use during your trip like taking short showers, turning off any lights or electronics before leaving the room, keeping the thermostat at a reasonable temperature, and reusing sheets and towels instead of having them washed and changed every day. Otherwise, plan on staying with friends or family to cut back on cost and reduce energy use.

A few small changes are all it takes to help people all over the St. Louis region breathe easier during one of the busiest travel times of the year. For more tips, visit www.cleanair-stlouis.com, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @gatewaycleanair.

2019 marks the 10^th anniversary of the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, a premier program that provides organizations all across the St. Louis region with a clear and measurable roadmap to more comprehensive green business practices. Like the Clean Air Partnership, this Challenge is focused on encouraging and inspiring voluntary steps to help improve the environment in the St. Louis region, including helping to clear the air, and in this milestone year we’re pleased to highlight the tremendous impact it’s having on the region.

The Challenge is a program of the Missouri Botanical Garden that helps businesses of all types and sizes to integrate “Triple Bottom Line” (fiscal, social and environmental) measures into the kinds of daily operations common to every business. As a part of the program, participants identify and adopt strategies that improve financial performance and engage employees in voluntary measures to reduce environmental impacts. Since its launch in 2010, 233 companies – representing more than 150,000 employees – have joined the Green Business Challenge. St. Louis’ ongoing commitment to sustainability is reflected in the numbers, with 47% of these companies participating for three or more years; a Green Decade Honor Roll of 13 companies have been engaged for the entirety of the program’s existence.

In 2018, a total of 59 companies, non-profits, institutions, and governmental bodies participated in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge. Remarkably, 100% of these participants formed a Green Team to lead sustainability efforts, have implemented and/or continue to add energy efficiency measures, provided employee education toward greening both their workplace and home, and participated in workplace recycling of both single-stream materials and electronics. This year, the program will be filled with sustainable business learning and leadership resources, professional networking, b-to-b marketing opportunities, and recognition for superior green achievements.

The Green Business Challenge is broken down into four levels: Challenge Apprentice, Challenge Leader, Challenge Champion and Green Cities Challenge. Last year, Apprentice green teams adopted sustainability policies, converted to purchasing recycled-content office and janitorial paper products, installed high efficiency lighting and identified alternative transportation options. Challenge Leader participants work with a categorized, point-based scorecard to guide their choices of activity with the goal of achieving the greatest gain. Challenge Champion companies are those that have completed work with the Leader scorecard in past years and commit to continued implementation of deeper sustainability strategies, such as reducing energy use by at least 25% and striving toward a 75% or greater waste diversion rate. Finally, Green Cities Challenge participants address sustainability within the range of operational requirements unique to local governments.

At the completion of each St. Louis Green Business Challenge program year, scorecards and case studies are submitted and points are tallied to determine the overall winners. To honor achievements across the program’s multiple levels of participation there are several award categories, including the Award of Achievement, Award of Merit, Innovation Award, Circle of Excellence, and Star in the Circle of Excellence. Top finishers last year at the Champion Level were Missouri Historical Society, UniGroup, Inc., Webster University, Ameren Missouri and Maritz. Merit Awards at the Leader Level were earned by Tarlton, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, COCA, World Wide Technology, Inc., and Forest Park Forever. Even the awards are sustainable, being made from materials like recycled cork and ultra-violet inks that do not include solvents or emit harmful greenhouse gasses!

For more information on how to get your company or municipality involved in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge/Green Cities Challenge, contact program manager Jean Ponzi at [email protected] or visit www.stlouisgreenchallenge.com. To learn more about the link between sustainability and air quality, be sure to check out our website, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @gatewaycleanair.

The American Lung Association’s 2019 “State of the Air” report is out, and it reveals the number of people exposed to unhealthy air increased to nearly 141.1 million, rising from the 133.9 million in the years covered by the 2018 report (2014-2016). For the third consecutive year, the St. Louis region has escaped being ranked among the top 25 most-polluted cities in the U.S., but the fact that many counties in the St. Louis metro area still had multiple days when the air quality was unhealthy means that there is still much work to be done to protect our local communities from the growing risks to public health resulting from increased levels of ozone and particle pollution.

Far too many cities across the nation saw an increased number of days when ground-level ozone reached unhealthy levels and particle pollution soared to often record-breaking levels in some areas. Altogether, 43.3 percent of the population is exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution, and while we may not be among the most polluted cities in this year’s ‘State of the Air’ ranking, poor air quality remains a problem that affects everyone in the St. Louis area.

The report reveals that as climate change continues, cleaning up these pollutants will become ever more challenging, ultimately making it harder to protect human health. Increased heat in 2017, the third warmest year on record in the U.S., likely drove this increase in ozone as warmer temperatures stimulate the reactions in the atmosphere that cause ozone to form.

“As we prepare to settle into summer when we’re at greater risk for higher levels of ozone pollution in our region, it’s important to keep in mind children, older adults and those who suffer from lung diseases that make them especially vulnerable to poor air quality,” said Susannah Fuchs, Director, Clean Air for the American Lung Association in Missouri. “While the fight for cleaner air presses on, we encourage area residents to remain steadfast in their efforts to take voluntary steps to reduce emissions because those actions play a critical role in improving air quality conditions and lung health of our region.”

The 2019 air quality forecasting season commenced on May 1^st, along with the Clean Air Partnership’s seasonal outreach to educate St. Louis residents on the health effects of air pollution and the steps they can take to keep air quality in healthy ranges. With transportation-related emissions being one of the biggest contributors to air pollution, actions like taking transit, carpooling, vanpooling, telecommuting, avoiding idling our vehicles and combining errands into a single trip can help reduce emissions when poor air quality is forecasted.

For additional information on the health effects of poor air quality and tips for doing your share for cleaner air, visit www.cleanair-stlouis.com, like the Clean Air Partnership on Facebook or follow @gatewaycleanair on Twitter. To access the American Lung Association’s 2019 State of the Air report, visit www.lung.org.

Spring is in full bloom and that means it’s almost time to roll out the green carpet in honor of Earth Day. What started nearly 50 years ago as a day of education about environmental issues has since grown into a global celebration focused on promoting green living and driving the public to take action on environmental causes.

While many individuals typically spend their time on Earth Day picking up trash, collecting recyclables, planting flowers, and getting outside to enjoy the beauty of nature, there are countless ways to celebrate the holiday that can make a difference all year long. Thankfully, there are a wealth of resources available to people all across the St. Louis region for celebrating Earth Day every day – not just on April 22 – by incorporating a few simple lifestyle changes into their daily routines that the planet and their health will appreciate.

For starters, the region’s public transit system, ridesharing and bike-sharing services are all great alternatives to driving alone that are intended to eliminate the use of multiple vehicles on the road. Give your car the day off this Earth Day and plan to walk, bike or ride Metro to help reduce auto emissions and keep the air quality in healthy ranges. Ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft match drivers of private vehicles to those seeking transportation and are a well-designed option for group outings. To practice greener living year-round, consider leaving your car at home just 2 days out of the week and catching a ride in the morning with friends or coworkers to save 1,600 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually! RideFinders, the regional ridesharing agency, can also help individuals find carpool or vanpool partners to share the ride.

The good work for our planet doesn’t have to stop there as this year marks the 30^th anniversary of the St. Louis Earth Day Festival. This treasured community tradition provides area residents the unique opportunity to learn about sustainable products and services offered by local businesses and organizations, meet local area non-profits that share Earth Day values, as well as enjoy local entertainment and the best eats from Green Dining Alliance restaurants. The Muny grounds in Forest Park will once again be home to the highly anticipated event April 27-28. Attendees are guaranteed to leave a little more inspired about real progress being made to preserve the Earth and a little more connected to those on the front lines.

Earth Day 2019 is the perfect opportunity to get involved with your community, celebrate the planet we live on and give back to it to help create a better world for generations to come. To learn more about the link between living greener and our air quality, visit our website tips section at www.cleanair-stlouis.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @gatewaycleanair.

As the Redbirds prepare to return to Busch Stadium on Thursday, thousands of baseball fans will flock to the streets of downtown St. Louis to celebrate the highly anticipated home opener. Although there will be lots of food, fun and entertainment for families and fans both inside and outside the stadium throughout the day, the festivities aren’t such a party for the environment.

Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available to help members of the St. Louis community take voluntary steps that can improve the quality of the air we breathe, starting by taking advantage of the alternative transportation modes the city offers for game day travel. Here are just a few of the many ways that people in the St. Louis region can reduce emissions to help keep the air quality in healthy ranges this baseball season:

• Metro Transit – MetroBus and MetroLink are always great options for getting downtown on game day. Catch the #40 North Broadway or #99 Downtown Trolley routes, which both have stops near Busch Stadium, or ride on any one of 19 MetroBus routes to the Civic Center Transit Center, which is located a few blocks west of Busch Stadium. Otherwise, leave your car at any one of 21 free Park-Ride lots located at MetroLink stations in Missouri and Illinois, purchase a $5 round-trip MetroLink ticket and ride to the Stadium MetroLink Station to get to Busch Stadium, Ballpark Village and Kiener Plaza. You can also take MetroLink to one of the other five downtown MetroLink stations to enjoy pre-game rallies and activities while cutting down on harmful auto emissions.
• Redbird Express – Fans in St. Clair County, Ill., can also take advantage of the Redbird Express, a popular special bus service provided by SCCTD that served more than 100,000 passengers in 2018 and is ready for another year of record-setting attendance! The Redbird Express takes the stress out of game day traffic, bridge construction, parking, gas expenses and more by allowing game-goers to sit back and enjoy the ride to and from the game. Busses depart from St. Clair Square near the water tower 2.5 hours before game time with the last bus leaving one hour before the game begins, dropping off and picking up fans just steps away from the stadium’s gates. Fares are $5.00 per adult and $2.00 for children ages 2 thru 12.
• Ridesharing – Ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft match drivers of private vehicles to those seeking transportation and are a great option to eliminate the use of multiple vehicles. With transportation-related emissions being one of the biggest contributors to air pollution, you can do your share for cleaner air by opting for a ridesharing service to get you to the ballpark to cut down on the number of vehicles on the road, which ultimately leads to fewer automobile emissions, reduced traffic congestion and improved air quality. You’ll also avoid having to pay to park!

For more great tips on how to enjoy a greener game day experience and achieve cleaner air all year long, visit https://cleanair-stlouis.com/air-quality-tips/, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @gatewaycleanair. GO CARDS!

As we prepare to welcome a new season, the days are getting longer, weather is getting warmer and the sunshine is chasing what’s left of the winter blues away. Spring is in the air, and while warm weather activities that we’ve longed for are great fun, increased temperatures can also lead to a greater risk of poor air quality conditions.

Thankfully, all it takes is a few small changes to incorporate sustainable and eco-friendly choices into our day-to-day routines. Here are some helpful tips to consider for living a greener lifestyle this spring and working to improve the region’s air quality:

• Walk, Bike or Take Public Transit – When weather conditions are favorable, replace car trips with walking, bicycling or using public transit to help reduce air pollution. Area residents can also take advantage of other options such as carpooling or vanpooling to reduce the number of solo commutes this spring. Fewer vehicles on the roads and highways means fewer automobile emissions, reduced traffic congestion and improved air quality.
• Greening Your Cleaning – By making environmentally conscious choices in the way you clean this spring, you’ll make your home (and the planet) a healthier place to live and breathe for all. Consider creating your own products by mixing a little warm water with either baking soda or white vinegar for the perfect all-purpose cleaner. You can take green cleaning one step further by opting for rags from cut up old clothes, towels, or sheets that can be washed and reused any time instead of paper towels to reduce waste and save money on paper products.
• Clear Out the Clutter – Spring cleaning is the perfect time to go through closets and get rid of the things you no longer need or use. Rather than dumping everything into plastic trash bags, take a few extra minutes to dispose of them responsibly and sustainably. Keep items out of overcrowded landfills by asking family and friends if they have use for any of your unwanted items or donate them to charity!

• Make Your Cookout a Greener Event – It wouldn’t be spring without spending time outdoors and dusting off the grill to enjoy a cookout. Charcoal grills, however, release about twice as much carbon dioxide per hour as gas grills do. You can do your share for cleaner air by using a gas barbecue grill instead of a charcoal one. Also, if you’re going with gas, invest in a high-quality, energy efficient model and make sure the gas tanks are refillable to cut back on cost and harmful waste.

There’s no better time to start practicing air-quality friendly habits than with a new season upon us. By implementing some of these tips into your everyday life, you can help people all across the St. Louis region breathe easier this spring. For more great tips on how to achieve cleaner air year-round, visit https://cleanair-stlouis.com/air-quality-tips/.

St. Louis is home to one of the largest Mardi Gras celebrations outside of New Orleans – and although a lot of fun, it isn’t such a party for the environment. Thousands of revelers will flood the streets of Soulard this weekend with festivities in full swing for the Grand Parade, and while green is one of the three prominent colors associated with Mardi Gras that you’ll see in the crowd, the event can be anything but.

Thankfully, there are a variety of ways to incorporate sustainability into your favorite Mardi Gras celebrations this year, and you might even be surprised at how simple. By adopting just one of many possible eco-friendly actions, you can have a significant impact on improving the region’s air quality and helping people all over St. Louis breathe easier. That’s something everyone can celebrate.

With transportation-related emissions being one of the biggest contributors to air pollution, Metro is making it easy for riders to get to the fun and festivities on Saturday, March 2 without having to get behind the wheel. For just $5, you truly can let the good times roll and avoid the hassles of parking and congestion by riding the special Mardi Gras MetroBus shuttles that operate every 10 minutes from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. between the Civic Center MetroLink Station (near the Enterprise Center) in downtown St. Louis and the Mardi Gras venue. Doing so will reduce auto emissions to help keep the air quality in healthy ranges!

It wouldn’t be a proper Mardi Gras celebration without beads, but these traditional accessories made up of cheap plastic strings and other toxic materials can end up littering the streets or get thrown into trash cans. If you have a growing collection and don’t plan on saving them to use for next year, consider recycling your beads by dropping them off in a marked five-gallon bucket at one of the following locations: St. Louis Earth Day – Recycling Extravaganza, Soulard Farmers Market, Joanie’s and Joanie’s To Go, Shameless Grounds or Great Grizzly Bear.

Tons of trash in the form of non-biodegradable Styrofoam cups, aluminum cans and glass bottles typically get left behind on parade day also, eventually winding up in landfills. Rather than tossing these items in the trash or on the street, keep an eye out for recycling containers along the parade route to properly dispose of waste and ultimately reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Do your share for cleaner air by keeping green in your mind and not just your wardrobe this Mardi Gras. To learn more about the link between living greener and our air quality, visit our website tips section at www.cleanair-stlouis.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @gatewaycleanair.